EP1902677A1 - Digitales strahlenbild-fotografiesystem - Google Patents

Digitales strahlenbild-fotografiesystem Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1902677A1
EP1902677A1 EP06746712A EP06746712A EP1902677A1 EP 1902677 A1 EP1902677 A1 EP 1902677A1 EP 06746712 A EP06746712 A EP 06746712A EP 06746712 A EP06746712 A EP 06746712A EP 1902677 A1 EP1902677 A1 EP 1902677A1
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Prior art keywords
image
output
mentioned
control unit
digital
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP1902677A4 (de
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Y. Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic Inc SHINDEN
H. Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic Inc. OHARA
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Konica Minolta Medical and Graphic Inc
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Konica Minolta Medical and Graphic Inc
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B6/00—Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis; Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis combined with radiation therapy equipment
    • A61B6/58—Testing, adjusting or calibrating thereof
    • A61B6/588—Setting distance between source unit and detector unit
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B6/00—Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis; Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis combined with radiation therapy equipment
    • A61B6/44—Constructional features of apparatus for radiation diagnosis
    • A61B6/4429—Constructional features of apparatus for radiation diagnosis related to the mounting of source units and detector units
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B6/00—Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis; Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis combined with radiation therapy equipment
    • A61B6/44—Constructional features of apparatus for radiation diagnosis
    • A61B6/4494—Means for identifying the diagnostic device
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B6/00—Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis; Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis combined with radiation therapy equipment
    • A61B6/48—Diagnostic techniques
    • A61B6/484—Diagnostic techniques involving phase contrast X-ray imaging
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B6/00—Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis; Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis combined with radiation therapy equipment
    • A61B6/58—Testing, adjusting or calibrating thereof
    • A61B6/589—Setting distance between source unit and patient
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N23/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00
    • G01N23/02—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by transmitting the radiation through the material
    • G01N23/04—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by transmitting the radiation through the material and forming images of the material
    • G01N23/041—Phase-contrast imaging, e.g. using grating interferometers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a digital radiation image radiographing system that radiographs a radiographic subject on a digital mode through a phase contrast radiographing method representing one of enlargement radiography, then, minifies digital image data (enlarged image of the subject) thus obtained to output them so that the image data may agree with a style of diagnosis (diagnosis based on an image whose size is substantially the same as that of the subject (which is called a life-size)) of a doctor for X-ray interpretation.
  • a style of diagnosis diagnosis based on an image whose size is substantially the same as that of the subject (which is called a life-size) of a doctor for X-ray interpretation.
  • An image taken through a phase contrast radiographing method is an image with high visibility wherein a focus marginal section (contours) are subjected to edge enhancement, and it is highly expected in a medical field, and an improvement in diagnosis accuracy in a mammography (breast images) field is expected.
  • an X-ray detector becomes minute and complicated in terms of a structure, and a volume of data to be handled is increased, resulting in troubles that costs of memory for an X-ray detector and for data processing are increased and time required for data processing is increased.
  • the reading pixel size or the reading sampling pitch is important, it is impossible to achieve an improvement of visibility of a marginal section (contour) subjected to edge enhancement in an image (image used for diagnosis) to be presented finally to a doctor for X-ray interpretation, even if miniaturization alone for the reading pixel size or the reading sampling pitch is attempted.
  • Patent document 1 discloses a digital phase contrast X-ray image radiographing system provided with a digital-X-ray image detector to obtain a digital image of a phase contrast X-ray image in which the reading pixel size of this digital-X-rays image detector is almost equal to the phase contrast edge enhancement half band width of a phase contrast X-ray image.
  • An image having an edge-enhanced side edge portion (boundary) on a characteristics range different from its periphery is obtained by this phase contrast radiography method as an image with a feature caused by this radiography. And, in order to output the image with good visibility on a film or a viewer, it is required to output faithfully the edge-enhanced side edge portion without destroying.
  • the image forming position of a peripheral zone of a disease portion on each minimum control unit of a detector such as CR plate or FPD
  • a part of a mountain and a part of valley of output signals may reside together in the minimum control unit.
  • the output signal value in the concerned minimum control unit becomes low. Accordingly, a difference between an output signal values from a mountain and a valley and an output signal values from no mountain and no valley in the minimum control unit becomes smaller or they become the same level depending on the case.
  • an edge-enhanced image cannot be acquired in the reading stage. After that, even if a faithfully reproducible output unit is used, an edge-satisfactory enhanced image cannot be acquired.
  • the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a digital radiation image radiographing system, wherein when an image generated by the phase contrast radiographing method is read in digital mode, even if an image is formed at any phase (location) on each reading control unit, an edge being an effect of the phase contrast radiography can be certainly detected.
  • the present invention when an image generated by the phase contrast radiography method is read in a digital mode, there is no case where a mountain and a valley of an edge are included in the same reading control unit. Therefore, even if an image is formed on any phase (location) for each reading control unit, edges which are an effect of the phase contrast radiography can be certainly detected.
  • Fig. 1 shows a digital radiation image radiographing system relating to the first embodiment.
  • phase contrast radiographing apparatus X-ray radiographing apparatus
  • image processing apparatus work station
  • image output apparatus 4 viewer 4a, printer 4b
  • preservation apparatus 6 are connected each other through LAN or WAN.
  • Each apparatus is made to be possible for communication corresponding to DICOM protocol, and it reproduces digital image data generated by a phase contrast radiographing method.
  • phase contrast radiographing apparatus 1 imaging for two-dimensional flat digital image is conducted, and after an X-ray image is taken through the aforesaid imaging, image signals are taken out and image processing is conducted by image processing apparatus 2. Further, image signals are subjected to image-display on viewer 4 of image output apparatus 4, and are subjected to image-print output with printer 4b.
  • the phase contrast radiographing apparatus 1 is preferably the so-called digital image radiographing apparatus, and it is provided with digital detectors such as CR, FPD and a division type X-ray detector. It may further be one that is taken through imaging on a screen or a film, and a film after developing is digitized by a digitizer.
  • digital detectors such as CR, FPD and a division type X-ray detector. It may further be one that is taken through imaging on a screen or a film, and a film after developing is digitized by a digitizer.
  • FPD includes two types including the so-called a direct type and an indirect type, and these types are not restricted in the present invention.
  • a direct type FPD X-ray are irradiated on a-Se, and electric charges thus generated are collected to be accumulated temporarily in a capacitor. Then, the accumulated electric charges are taken out in order on a two-dimensional basis, to be made image signals finally.
  • the division type X-ray detector includes one wherein image signals are taken out by causing CCD to touch directly a scintillator with a plane that emits visible light when it is irradiated by X-ray, one wherein image signals are taken out by collecting emitted light with a glass fiber and by leading it to CCD or the one wherein image signals are taken out by introducing emitted light to CCD by the use of a lens.
  • a reading pixel size or a reading sampling pitch of the digital detector is defined to be minimum control unit S ( ⁇ m) in the case of reading.
  • minimum control unit S (10 ⁇ S ⁇ 200 ⁇ m) is preferable. If S is greater than 200 ⁇ m, it is difficult to acquire precisely X-ray image transmitted through a subject, while, if it is smaller 10 ⁇ m, an yield rate is worsened and manufacturing cost is increased. More preferable is (30 ⁇ S ⁇ 100 ⁇ m), and by conducting reading sampling in this area, it is possible to read without lacking an edge-emphasized boundary image obtained through phase contrast imaging, and sharpness is improved.
  • Viewer 4a is used to display imaged data and to check the quality of positioning of imaging region.
  • an engineer transmits the aforesaid data to preservation apparatus 6 such as a storage apparatus to preserve them. Further, simultaneously with this, the aforesaid image data may also be transmitted to an unillustrated work station for a doctor for X-ray interpretation.
  • a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal, a plasma-display, a liquid crystal projector and organic EL can be used as the viewer 4a.
  • luminance: 400 - 1000 cd/m 2 , contrast ratio: 200 - 10000, and depth of information: 8 or 16 bit are preferable.
  • a size of an image plane is not restricted in particular, a size that can cover the whole of the region to be imaged is preferable. It is preferable that the name of a patient, a magnification rate for imaging and character information such as a date of imaging are displayed together with images. Further, the past image, other modality images such as X-ray CT and MRI, resection test body images and color images such as fundus images may also be displayed simultaneously or separately.
  • An output pixel size of the viewer 4a or an output writing pitch of printer 4b is defined to be minimum control unit A ( ⁇ m) in the case of outputting.
  • Fig. 2 shows an outline of X-ray radiographing apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1 .
  • Contact imaging means imaging under the state where subject 11 is in contact with digital detector 10 or with a member including the digital detector 10.
  • a distance from the position of subject 11 on the digital detector 10 side to the digital detector 10 or to the member including that is defined to be R2.
  • the contact imaging means that R2 is 0 or it is substantially 0.
  • a meaning of the expression that R2 is substantially 0 is that R2 is not more than 0.05 m, or magnifying power M is less than 1.1.
  • the magnifying power M is defined to be a value obtained by dividing the maximum length of a projected image by a length of a corresponding portion of a main body of the subject.
  • a phase contrast image is obtained by selecting the magnifying power M of (1 ⁇ M ⁇ 10).
  • a range of (1.4 ⁇ M ⁇ 3) is preferable, and by selecting the magnifying power M of this range, a phase contrast image having high image quality usable as an image for diagnoses can be obtained.
  • phase contrast image 12 When digital detector 10 is installed to be away from subject 11 as shown in Fig. 2 , it is possible to obtain phase contrast image 12 through imaging by X-rays emitted from X-ray tube 13. An occasion where R2 exceeds 0.05 m and an occasion where the magnifying power M is not less than 1.1 mean the phase contrast imaging.
  • a range of distance R1 between focal point a of X-ray tube 13 of the present embodiment and subject 11 is (0.15 ⁇ R1 ⁇ 5 m) when a form of an ordinary imaging room (especially, a distance between a floor and a ceiling) and a thickness of a subject are taken into consideration, and it is preferably (0.25 ⁇ R1 ⁇ 2 m) when image quality and work efficiency are further considered.
  • a range of distance R2 between subject 11 and digital detector 10 subject 11 is (0.15 ⁇ R2 ⁇ 5 m) when a form of an ordinary imaging room (especially, a distance between a floor and a ceiling) and image quality that makes a diagnosis possible are taken into consideration, and it is preferably (0.5 ⁇ R2 ⁇ 2 m).
  • a rotation anode hot-cathode tube is preferable as X-ray tube 13. Namely, in the rotation anode hot-cathode tube, an electron is emitted from a filament, then, the electron hits the anode on which optional voltage in a range from 10 kV to 500 kV is applied, and kinetic energy of the electron is converted into an electromagnetic wave to be emitted as X-ray.
  • a carbon nanotube may be used as one that emits electrons, although a filament may also be used.
  • the anode is made of a metal of molybdenum or tungsten, and it is rotated so that it may not be damaged by generation of heat caused by a collision of a thermoelectron.
  • a form of the portion where the thermoelectron hits the anode is usually designed to be a perfect square when it is viewed in the direction of the emission, and it is called a focal point.
  • a length of one side of this perfect square is called focal point diameter D which indicates a size of an X-ray source.
  • the focal point diameter D is one to be shown generally by a manufacturer of X-ray tube as a specification, and it can be measured by using a pin-hole camera or a test chart as is established in JIS Z4702.
  • a range of the focal point diameter D is (1 ⁇ D ⁇ 300 ⁇ m) and it is preferably (30 ⁇ D ⁇ 100 ⁇ m).
  • the focal point diameter D is 1 ⁇ D ⁇ 300 ⁇ m or more, an output of X-ray just for being transmitted through subject 11 is obtained, and an image having high image quality suitable for a diagnosis can be obtained by selecting the focal point diameter D of 30 ⁇ m or more. If the focal point diameter is small, a period of time for imaging is long although image quality is improved. Since a form of a structure having a size of about 100 ⁇ m needs to be observed in the case of mammography, the focal point diameter is in a range from 30 ⁇ m to 100 ⁇ m because a smaller focal point is desired.
  • the focal point diameter D in a range of (30 ⁇ D ⁇ 100 ⁇ m), an edge image which can be detected by digital detector 10 can be obtained, and an image with high sharpness can be obtained.
  • a range of minimum control unit S ( ⁇ m) representing a reading pixel size of digital detector 10 or a reading sampling pitch is (10 ⁇ S ⁇ 200 ⁇ m) and it is preferably (30 ⁇ S ⁇ 100 ⁇ m).
  • a range of minimum control unit A representing an output pixel size of image outputting apparatus 4 or an output writing pitch is (25 ⁇ A ⁇ 300 ⁇ m), and when the minimum control unit A is too large, a contour of an image is blurred, while, when it is smaller, a precise image can be displayed, and it is possible to observe up to details of the structure.
  • the minimum control unit A is small, a manufacturing yield is worsened and manufacturing cost is increased. Further, an amount of image data grows greater, and it takes longer time for display and switching of images, resulting in a decline of work efficiency.
  • the preferable range is (50 ⁇ A ⁇ 200 ⁇ m), and when 200 ⁇ m is exceeded, it sometimes is difficult to diagnose in the case of precise diagnosis such as observing a minute structure.
  • Phase contrast radiographing apparatus 1 is an apparatus that conducts imaging in the aforesaid method, and utilizes a phenomenon wherein an edge is generated on the circumference of an image of a subject by refraction of X-ray, to acquire a radiation image having higher sharpness.
  • an X-ray passing through the circumference of subject 11 is refracted and overlaps with X-ray having passed through a flank of subject 11 on digital detector 10, outside the circumstance of subject 11, as shown in Fig. 3 , and intensity of X-ray is strengthened.
  • intensity of X-ray is strengthened.
  • X-ray intensity is weakened.
  • This edge enhancement function is also called an edge effect. Owing to this edge enhancement function, an X-ray image having excellent sharpness whose circumstance is described clearly can be obtained.
  • E 2.3 ⁇ 1 + R ⁇ 2 / R ⁇ 1 1 / 3 ⁇ R ⁇ 2 ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ 2 ⁇ r 1 / 2 2 / 3 wherein, ⁇ represents a refractive index difference at the portion where X-ray is refracted and r represents a radius of an object (or a subject, a photographic subject).
  • Coolidge X-ray tube 5 (which is also called thermoelectron X-ray tube) is widely used.
  • Fig. 5 shows an occasion where Coolidge X-ray tube 5 is used.
  • a thermoelectron hits the anode made of metal such as tungsten to emit X-ray, and X-ray is emitted radially from a window in a form of a perfect square which is called a focal point.
  • a length of one side of this window in a form of a perfect square is called focal point diameter.
  • an X-ray source cannot be regarded as an ideal point light source. Namely, by a focal point serving as an X-ray source having a finite size, half-width E for phase contrast edge enhancement is broadened by the so-called geometric unsharpness as shown in Fig. 6 , and intensity is decreased.
  • half-width E for phase contrast edge enhancement is broadened by the so-called geometric unsharpness, and an edge enhancement image is blurred.
  • detection of an edge enhancement image is possible even when a pixel size of digital detector 10 is relatively large, because half-width E is broadened.
  • an edge-emphasized image needs to be detected accurately firstly, and image information of the detected edge-emphasized image needs to be outputted under the diagnosable state without being lost secondly.
  • E represents an edge enhancement width formed by X-rays emitted from a point light source whose X-ray source of X-ray tube is ideal.
  • B represents a size of blur caused by geometric unsharpness.
  • Edge enhancement width EB by X-rays emitted from a light source having focal point diameter D is broadened by geometric unsharpness to be more than edge enhancement width E formed by X-rays emitted from an ideal point light source.
  • EB represents edge enhancement half-width, and it indicates a distance between a peak of the edge and a trough, and is expressed by (E + B) wherein blur B is added to ideal edge enhancement width E.
  • the sampling theorem is a theorem referred to that when the maximum spatial frequency which an analog image has is fmax (cycles/mm), it is necessary to set a sampling interval ⁇ x (mm) to ( ⁇ x ⁇ 1/ (2fmax)).
  • D ( ⁇ m) represents a focal point diameter of X-ray tube
  • S ( ⁇ m) represents a minimum control unit (reading pixel size or reading sampling pitch) of a digital detector
  • R1 (m) represents a distance from a focal point of X-ray tube to a subject
  • R2 (m) represents a distance from a subject to a digital detector
  • a magnifying power M equals ((R1 + R2)/R1)
  • E represents an edge enhancement width caused by X-ray refraction
  • a detected image becomes an image enlarged rather than the exact size by carrying out a phase contrast radiography. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 9 , when a minimum control unit S (a reading pixel size or a reading sampling pitch) in a digital detector 10 is made to correspond to a minimum control unit A (an output pixel size or an output writing pitch) of an image outputting apparatus 4, since it is necessary to reduce an image to a full scale, it is necessary to be (S > A).
  • the minimum control unit S of the digital detector 10 and an aggregation of n pieces of the minimum control unit A of the image outputting apparatus 4 are corresponded as data (an image density value or a luminance value calculate based on an amount of transmission X rays of each of the minimum control unit S of the digital detector 10 is allotted as output data of the n pieces of the minimum control unit A of the image outputting apparatus 4).
  • data an image density value or a luminance value calculate based on an amount of transmission X rays of each of the minimum control unit S of the digital detector 10 is allotted as output data of the n pieces of the minimum control unit A of the image outputting apparatus 4.
  • an edge can be certainly detected.
  • an output it is the same as that of the case of the above-mentioned embodiment.
  • a focal size D is an actually-measured size and is not an indication size.
  • a digital detector used was a cassette type direct digitizer: Regius MODEL 190 manufactured by Konica Minolta Co., Ltd. which is CR.
  • a reading sampling pitch (a reading minimum control unit S) was selectable from two kinds of 43.75 ⁇ m and 87.5 ⁇ m.
  • an outputting device used was a laser imager: DRYPRO MODEL793 manufactured by Konica Minolta Co., Ltd.
  • an output writing pitch (an output minimum control unit A) was selectable from two kinds of 25 ⁇ m and 43.75 ⁇ m. And each digital data obtained with the reading sampling pitch of the digital detector was matched with data of the output writing pitch by 1:1, and a film output was performed.
  • Fig. 11 shows an example of a plastic fiber image.
  • An image density of the fiber image was measured by the scanning on line-segment 100 shown in Fig. 11 with a microdensitometer. Also, an image density of an uniform exposure section was measured as a reference image density. An image density difference was obtained by the subtraction to subtract the reference image density from the measured density of a fiber image.
  • Fig. 12 shows an example of a result of the obtained image density difference.
  • a graph having a shape indicated with "edge having recognized” shown in Fig. 12 may be obtained. That is, a graph in which a peak is seen near an interface between a radiographic subject side and an air side may be obtained. With the lowering of the visibility of an edge, a peak on a graph becomes lower. In the case that an edge is invisible, a graph having a shape indicated with "edge having not recognized" shown in Fig. 12 may be obtained.
  • Fig. 13 shows measurement results in this radiography experiment example and is an enlarged view of an edge portion corresponding to the portion surrounded with a circle shown in Fig. 12 .
  • the experimental conditions are shown in Table 1.
  • a symbol ⁇ shows the case where Formula (3) and Formula (4) were satisfied, and a symbol ⁇ shows the case where they were not satisfied.
  • the present invention when an image generated by the phase contrast radiography method is read in a digital mode, there is no case where a mountain and a valley of an edge are included in the same reading control unit. Therefore, even if an image is formed on any phase (location) for each reading control unit, edges which are an effect of the phase contrast radiography can be certainly detected. As a result, the edge visibility in a final output image (a film or a viewer) can be improved.
  • Fig. 14 shows the structure of digital radiation image radiographing system in the present embodiment.
  • the digital radiation image radiographing system 100 is composed of image generating apparatuses 101a - 101d, JOB manager 102, DB (Data Base) 103, image recording apparatuses 104a - 104c and image display apparatuses 104d and 104e.
  • Each apparatus is constructed to be capable of conducting transmission and reception of information through network N conforming to the standards of DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine).
  • Image generating apparatuses 101a - 101d are those to generate digital data of X-ray images acquired through imaging of a subject, and they are classified into image generating apparatuses 101a and 101b of an radiographing system that conducts imaging operations and generating operations for X-ray images on the same apparatus and image generating apparatuses 101c and 101d of a reading system that is constructed separately from the radiographing apparatus, and reads X-ray images recording on a portable image detector to generate X-ray image data.
  • the image generating apparatuses 101a and 101b are equipped with an imaging device composed of an X-ray tube and an image detector (FPD or a phosphor sheet) and with an image generating device that reads X-ray images recorded on the image detector and generates image data, and conduct imaging operations and image generating operations.
  • the image generating device functions as a digital image detector that digitizes X-ray images.
  • an image generating device that functions as a digital image detector
  • imaging operations are conducted by an radiographing apparatus constructed separately by the use of a portable image detector such as a cassette.
  • the image generating apparatuses 101c and 101d conduct reading operations for X-ray images recorded on a cassette through imaging operations.
  • phase contrast radiographing method and the X-ray image generating method are common to all of the image generating apparatuses 101a - 101d. Detailed explanation for the radiographing method will be given later.
  • JOB manager 102 is one that regulates and controls a flow of X-ray images in digital radiation image radiographing system 100. It further conducts output regulation in the case of outputting X-ray images by each outputting apparatus of image recording apparatuses 104a - 104c or of image displaying apparatuses 104d and 104e.
  • the JOB manager 102 receives information of instruction for imaging designated by a doctor concerning imaging which is called imaging order information from unillustrated HIS (Hospital Information System) or RIS (Radiology Information System), and stores the information. Based on this imaging order information, X-ray images taken through imaging are controlled by the JOB manager 102. For example, since the imaging order information includes patient information (a name, an age and the distinction of sex) concerning a subject (patient) to be imaged and imaging information (a region to be imaged, an imaging direction and an radiographing method) concerning imaging, the JOB manager 102 retrieves the imaging order information corresponding to X-ray images, and causes patient information and imaging information included in the imaging order information to accompany the X-ray images.
  • HIS Local Information System
  • RIS Radiology Information System
  • image generating information minimum generation unit in the case of image generation, an amount of image data and others
  • image generating apparatuses 101a - 101d to accompany X-ray images.
  • Each X-ray image can be discriminated individually based on accompanying information.
  • Fig. 15 shows an internal structure of the JOB manager 102.
  • the JOB manager 102 is composed of control section 121, operation section 122, display section 123, communication section and storage section 125.
  • the control section 121 is composed of CPU (Central Processing Unit) and RAM (Random Access Memory), and it reads out various control programs from the storage section 125, and conducts centralized control for various calculations and operations of respective sections 122 - 125 through cooperation with the program thus read out.
  • CPU Central Processing Unit
  • RAM Random Access Memory
  • the operation section 122 is equipped with a key board and a mouse, and generates operation signals corresponding to the operations of these operators, and outputs them to the control section 121.
  • the display section 123 is equipped with a display such as LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and it displays various types of display information such as various types of operation screens and results of processing by the control section 121.
  • a display such as LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
  • LCD Liquid Crystal Display
  • the communication section 124 is equipped with an interface for communication such as a network interface card, and it conducts transmission and reception of information with each equipment on network N.
  • the storage section 125 stores data including various types of control programs, parameters necessary for practice of programs, and results of processing by the control section 121.
  • the storage section 125 further stores output setting table 251.
  • the output setting table 251 is a table for controlling output setting information in an output apparatus included in digital radiation image radiographing system 100, namely, in image recording apparatuses 104a - 104c and image display apparatuses 104d and 104e.
  • various types of setting information such as a form of output of an output apparatus (film recording or monitor display) and minimum output unit A that can be outputted (which is also called minimum control unit in the course of outputting) (unit ⁇ m) are stored in the output setting table 251, for each output apparatuses ID (104a - 104d) attached inherently on each output apparatus, as shown in Fig. 16 .
  • the minimum output unit A means a minimum constituting unit that constitutes an output image in the case of outputting an X-ray image, and it means a pixel size and a writing pitch size specifically.
  • information of setting plural minimum output units is stored. These pieces of information for setting output are registered and established, each time the output apparatus is introduced newly into digital radiation image radiographing system 100.
  • DB 103 is composed of a large capacity memory, and it stores X-ray images generated through imaging. Each X-ray image is converted into a database by accompanying information that is created by JOB manager 102, to be controlled.
  • Image recording apparatuses 104a - 104c and image display apparatuses 104d and 104e are those conducting output processing for X-ray images, and the image recording apparatuses 104a - 104c record X-ray images on a film, while, the image display apparatuses 104d and 104e display X-ray images on a monitor.
  • these apparatuses are generically called output apparatuses 104a - 104e.
  • Each of output apparatuses 104a - 104e has a minimum output unit capable of being outputted.
  • output apparatuses 104a - 104e conduct output processing for X-ray images inputted complying with the output instruction information.
  • the output instruction information includes a minimum output unit to be applied in the case of outputting, an output method by that minimum output unit, film sizes and other output conditions.
  • Each of output apparatuses 104a - 104e allots signal values (pixel values) for each minimum generation unit of inputted X-ray image to each minimum generation unit designated complying with a designated output method, and composes an output image composed of minimum output units again, to conduct image output for the outputted image.
  • signal values pixel values
  • phase contrast imaging conducted in image generation apparatuses 101a and 101b of the radiographing system, it is basically the same as an occasion in the First Embodiment, and an explanation for the phase contrast imaging will be omitted accordingly.
  • image generation information such as minimum generation units S (which is also called minimum control unit in the case of reading) and magnifying power M are caused to accompany the enlarged image, in each of image generation apparatuses 101a - 101d.
  • minimum generation unit S and magnifying power M are detected automatically on the image generation apparatuses 101a and 101b side, and its information is written on a header area for the enlarged image.
  • magnifying power M it is possible to employ either a framework wherein information of the magnifying power is inputted by a cameraman, or a framework wherein the magnifying power M is automatically calculated in image generation apparatuses 101a and 102b, provided that the framework can detect a subject position and a position of image detector 12 on the image generation apparatuses 101a and 101b side.
  • Data of enlarged images which are accompanied by image generation information such as minimum generation unit S and magnifying power M are transmitted to JOB manager 102.
  • image generation information such as minimum generation unit S and magnifying power M
  • JOB manager 102 when data of enlarged images are received from image generation apparatuses 101a - 101d, accompanying information based on imaging order information is caused to accompany the enlarged image, and is preserved in DB 103.
  • the output control processing is software processing realized by cooperation with processing programs stored in control section 121 and storage section 125.
  • step S1 information accompanying the enlarged image data received is referred to, and information of minimum generation unit S and magnifying power M is acquired (step S1). Then, from these minimum generation unit S and magnifying power M, optimum generation unit Q capable of outputting at a life size is calculated, without conducting minifying interpolation processing. Namely, optimum output unit Q that satisfies the following expression (5) is obtained (step S2).
  • Q S / M
  • minifying interpolation processing turns out to be unnecessary. This also applies to an occasion where a signal value is caused to correspond to aggregate nA of minimum output unit A (n can take a value of a square of an integer).
  • minimum generation unit S is 43.75 ( ⁇ m) and minimum output unit A is 12.5 ( ⁇ m)
  • output setting table 251 is referred to, and there are selected output apparatuses 104a - 104e wherein minimum output unit A can output with an output unit that is desired optimum output unit Q or is closest to the desired optimum output unit Q, and S > A is satisfied (step S3).
  • an output device of minimum output unit A that can output with optimum output unit Q is selected preferentially, and then, the selection is made preferentially, from an output device of minimum output unit A that can output with an output unit closest to optimum output unit Q.
  • the relationship of S > A is required by the purpose to output life-size enlarged images.
  • the minimum output unit A capable of outputting with optimum output unit Q (or an output unit closest to it) means that an occasion wherein output is possible with minimum output unit A itself and an occasion output is possible by aggregate nA of minimum output unit A are included.
  • the optimum output unit Q is obtained from the expression (5) above to be 25 ( ⁇ m).
  • output setting table 251 shown in Fig. 16 there exist two output apparatuses including output apparatuses 104a and 104c, wherein minimum output unit A is the same as optimum output unit 25 ( ⁇ m) in the case of outputting on a film. Therefore, any one of the output apparatuses 104a and 104c is selected.
  • the selection of the output apparatus may either be on an optional basis, or on other conditions such as a film size that makes it possible for the output apparatus to output.
  • the selected output apparatuses 104a - 104e are discriminated whether they are in the state to be capable of outputting or not (step S4), and when they are not in the state to be capable of outputting (step S4; N), an output apparatus having minimum output unit A that can output with optimum output unit Q or with an output unit closest to the optimum output unit Q is selected (Step S5).
  • the output apparatus 104a among output apparatuses 104a and 104c is selected, if the status information such as that the output apparatus 104a is not turned on or that a large amount of image data to be outputted are waiting for outputting, the output apparatus 104a is judged to be in the state where output is impossible, and an output apparatus that is the same as or is the closest to optimum output unit Q is selected next from other output apparatuses 104b - 104e excluding the output apparatus 104a.
  • the output apparatus 104c since the output apparatus 104c has minimum output unit A (25 ⁇ m) identical to optimum output unit Q, output apparatus 104c is selected.
  • output apparatus 104b having minimum output unit A of 27 ( ⁇ m) close next to optimum output unit 25 ( ⁇ m) is selected preferentially. If signal values of minimum generation unit s 43.75 ( ⁇ m) are allotted to one pixel having a size of minimum output unit A 27 ( ⁇ m) on a one-to-one correspondence basis, its output image is one enlarged from a life-size one by 1.08 times as shown in Fig. 18 , and it is not a life-size (magnifying power 1.0) one.
  • step S6 If output apparatuses 104a - 104c each being capable of outputting are selected as stated above (step S4; Y), output conditions are determined on control section 121, and output instruction information showing the output conditions is generated to be distributed to the aforesaid selected output apparatuses 104a - 104c together with data of enlarged images to be outputted (step S6).
  • the output condition includes a condition in the case of allotting signal values of minimum generation unit S to minimum output unit A, namely, a condition to allot signal values in one unit of minimum generation unit S to one unit of minimum output unit A (or its aggregate nA) by causing them to correspond on a basis of one-to-one correspondence.
  • a condition to allot signal values in one unit of minimum generation unit S to one unit of minimum output unit A (or its aggregate nA) by causing them to correspond on a basis of one-to-one correspondence.
  • information of minimum output unit number n constituting the aggregate nA is also included.
  • output apparatuses 104a - 104e it is possible to output at a life-size dimension or at a dimension close to the life-size dimension without conducting minifying interpolation processing, because images to be outputted are generated from enlarged images in accordance with the output instruction information, and outputting of them is conducted.
  • a condition showing which minimum output unit A should be used for outputting is included in the output conditions.
  • the output condition of that size information is also included in the output conditions.
  • output apparatuses 104a - 104e where an enlarged image and its output instruction information are received from JOB manager 102, output operations for the enlarged image to be outputted are carried out in accordance with the output instruction information in the aforesaid way.
  • the present embodiment makes it possible to control so that image outputting may be practiced by the output apparatus that conforms to minimum generation unit S and magnifying power M, in spite of a digital radiation image radiographing system equipped with plural output apparatuses each having different minimum output unit A. Owing to this, an enlarged image which is edge-emphasized by phase contrast imaging and has excellent visibility and high image quality can be outputted at a life-size dimension or a dimension close to the life-size dimension, without conducting minifying interpolation processing, and X-ray images which are optimum for X-ray interpretation can be offered.

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JP4992456B2 (ja) * 2007-02-16 2012-08-08 コニカミノルタエムジー株式会社 骨疾患評価システム
JP5534756B2 (ja) * 2009-09-16 2014-07-02 キヤノン株式会社 画像処理装置、画像処理方法、画像処理システム及びプログラム
JP5714861B2 (ja) 2010-10-07 2015-05-07 株式会社リガク Ｘ線画像撮影方法およびｘ線画像撮影装置
KR102286358B1 (ko) * 2018-08-10 2021-08-05 도시바 아이티 앤 콘트롤 시스템 가부시키가이샤 X선 촬상 장치

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